Abstract: A process for the racemization of optically active 4-phenylbutanoic acid esters which comprises treating optically active 4-phenylbutanoic acid esters of the general formula (1) ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 represents a hydroxy group, a hydroxy group protected by vinyl ester, or a lower acyloxy group and R.sup.2 represents a lower alkyl group with a base selected from the group consisting of alkali metal alcoholates, alkali metal hydrides, and alkali metal amides is provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a renal growth promoter based on the finding that luteinizing hormone or an isoform thereof has an effect of promoting renal growth.It was previnsly unknown that luteinizing hormone or an isoform thereof has an effect of promoting renal growth.With the present invention, it is expected that kidneys suffering from a decreased in the number of renal cells or a lowering in the renal function may be activated by administering luteinizing hormone or an isoform thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel process for producing .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated aldehydes including industrial important fragrances such as citral and sinensal, starting materials for preparing pharmaceutical drugs such as senecioaldehyde, farnesal, 8-acetoxy-2,6-dimethyl-2,6-octadienal and the like, directly and in high yield, from formic acid esters of allylic alcohols in the presence of a catalytic amount of aluminum alkoxide by the oxidation of the corresponding alehyde.

Abstract: A pin diode having an incident layer which includes 1 to 10% of microcrystallized silicon is formed in a condition where a molar ratio of hydrogen to monosilane is 5:1 to 100:1 and applied power is 0.001 to 0.05 W/cm.sup.2. The pin diode as well as a contact image sensor comprising the same as excellent photoelectric transfer efficiency.

Abstract: A digital signal decoding circuit of this invention includes a detection circuit, a reference signal generation circuit, and a discrimination circuit. The detection circuit detects central values of an amplitude in each bit of interest of a received digital signal. The reference signal generation circuit generates a reference signal having a signal value according to the central value detected by the detection circuit. The discrimination circuit compares the signal value of the received digital signal with a signal value of the reference signal generated by the reference signal generation circuit, thereby outputting a decoded binary signal.

Abstract: A passive seat belt system is constructed of a guide rail longitudinally defining a first channel and a second channel, a slider movable along the second channel of the guide rail, a webbing fastened to the slider and movable between an occupant-restraining position and an occupant-releasing position, a drive member for driving the slider, said drive member being received in the first channel of the guide rail, and a spacer provided between the slider and the drive member to prevent the slider from directly contacting an inner wall portion of the second channel, said inner wall portion being on a side closer to the first channel.

Abstract: A mechanism for the positional adjustment of an anchor for a webbing in a passive seat belt system for a vehicle is described. The mechanism includes a slide rail for guiding a slider which carries the webbing fastened thereon, an adjustment base fitted on the slide rail and defining a plurality of interlocking holes at predetermined longitudinal intervals therein, an anchor base transversely surrounding the slide rail and adjustment base for guided movement along the slide rail and adjustment base, said anchor base being engageable with the slider at an occupant-restraining position, and a latch engageable with one of the plural holes formed in the adjustment base so as to lock the anchor base on the adjustment base, thereby determining the position of the anchor base relative to the adjustment base.

Abstract: A contact type image sensor device comprises a plurality of photodiodes connected in a matrix, and an equal number of blocking diodes. A capacity ratio of a photo electric part constituting the photodiodes to a diode part constituting the blocking diode is in the range of 2:1 to 30:1. Dynamic range, magnitude of the signal current, light sensitivity and after image characteristics of the image sensor are improved according to the invention.

Abstract: In an automobile passive seat belt system, a slider carrying an occupant-restraining webbing fastened to an end portion thereof is guided by a drive member between a release position and an restraining position along a slide rail. The end portion is farthest from the slide rail. The slide rail has a first guide portion for guiding the drive member and a second guide portion for guiding the slider. The slider has a projection extending into the first guide portion. The projection constitutes an inner end of a slider portion at which the slider is in contact with the guide rail while sliding along the guide rail.

Abstract: In an electrophotographic developing method using a magnetic brush consisting of a mixture of magnetic carrier and an electroscopic toner, development is carried out at a toner concentration (Ct. %) in the mixture, which satisfies the requirement represented by the following formula: ##EQU1## wherein Sc stands for the specific surface area (cm.sup.2 /g) of the carrier, St stands for the specific surface area (cm.sup.2 /g) of the toner, and k is a number of from 0.90 to 1.14.A toner image having a high quality can be obtained according to this method.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for preparing halogenated sulfones by reacting a halogenating agent with a salt of a hydroxysulfone. The halogenated sulfones are useful as an intermediate for vitamin A or its carboxylic acid esters employed as medicines or feed additives.

Abstract: A camera includes a photographic optical system movable along its optical axis, and a cam ring rotatable about the optical axis of the optical system. When it is rotated by a motor, the cam ring moves the optical system to change the focal length thereof. Arranged at the outside of the cam ring are a viewfinder optical system, whose optical axis is parallel to that of the photographic optical system, and a strobe mechanism movable in a direction parallel to the optical axis of the photographic optical system. First and second cam portions are arranged on the cam ring and engage the viewfinder optical system and strobe mechanism, respectively, so as to move them along the optical axis of the photographic optical system, in association with the rotation of the cam ring.

Abstract: An adjusting mechanism for a webbing-supporting member in a passive seat belt system is constructed of an elongated member to be mounted on a vehicle body--such as a guide rail--, an anchor base transversely surrounding the elongated member, and a spacer provided between the elongated member and anchor base to substantially fill up a spacing between the elongated member and at least one of planar walls of the anchor base.

Abstract: An automatic locking and releasing arrangement for vehicular seat belt including a guide rail provided with first and second guide passages, a driving cable adapted to slide through the first guide passage, a connector and a cam both fixed to the cable at a predetermined spacing from each other, a slider adapted to slide through the second guide passage and engage the connector and the cam, a seat belt attached to the slider through a buckle, and an anchor device for retaining the slider in a locking seat belt position. A ring-like slide member is fixed to the cable portion positioned between the connector and the cam, the ring-like slide member comprising plurality of slide portions having a sectional shape a little smaller than that of the first guide passage and arranged through a flexible portion formed between adjacent slide portions. The cable is slid through the first guide passage of the guide rail by the slide portions of the ring-like slide member.

Abstract: A drive member is provided for a passive seat belt system. The drive member is adapted to slidably extend through a guide rail and to transmit a drive force to a webbing-carrying slider so as to selectively displace the slider between an occupant-restraining position and an occupant-non-restraining position. An end metal fitting for holding the slider at a free end portion of the drive member has been formed integrally with a main body of the drive member by die casting. Instead of the end metal fitting, an end member may be formed integrally with the main body by resin molding.

Abstract: A slider is provided for use in a passive seat belt system. The system is composed of a rail adapted to receive a portion of the slider, an elongated drive means for driving the slider along the rail, a webbing fastened to the slider and displaceable between an occupant-restraining position and an occupant-releasing position, and a latch means for holding the slider in place at the occupant-restraining position. The slider includes a leg portion and a main portion. The leg portion extends substantially in parallel with the length of the rail when the slider is combined with the rail and is provided with a synthetic resin cover applied thereon. The main portion extends from a side edge of the leg portion substantially at a right angle relative to the length of the leg portion as seen in a transverse cross-section and when the slider is combined with the rail, in a direction away from the rail. The main portion defines a webbing-fastening head portion at a free end portion thereof.

Abstract: A coating composition comprising:(a) 100 parts by weight (in terms of organoalkoxysilane) of at least one compound selected from the group consisting of (a') an organoalkoxysilane represented by the general formula (I):RSi(OR.sup.1).sub.3 (I)wherein R is an organic group having 1-8 carbon atoms and R.sup.1 is an alkyl group having 1-5 carbon atoms or an acyl group having 1-4 carbon atoms, (a") a hydrolyzate of (a') and (a'") a partial condensate of (a'),(b) 5-50 parts by weight (as solids) of colloidal alumina, and(c.sub.1) 2-200 parts by weight of at least one organopolysiloxane having at least one reactive functional group in the polymer molecule and/or(c.sub.2) 3-6,000 parts by weight of at least one silyl group-containing vinyl polymer having, at the terminal(s) or side chain(s) of the polymer molecule, at least one silyl group having a silicon atom having bonded thereto a hydrolyzable group, and(d) an organic solvent.

Abstract: An outer tube is used to guide a drive member which serves to drive a slider. The outer tube is constructed of a resin-made cylindrical tube main body, two resin-made slip-out preventing portions formed at both ends of the tube main body respectively, and at least one resin-made bracket provided on the tube main body at a point between the slip-out preventing portions. The slip-out preventing portions and bracket are formed as unitary members with the tube main body.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a structure for fixing an anchor base on a stationary base of a vehicle. The structure is suited for use in an automatic seat belt system of the type that a movable anchor travels along a guide member. The anchor base surrounds transversely the guide member on the side of an occupant-restraining position and extends in the direction of the length of the guide member. The anchor base is provided with a support portion to support the movable anchor on the anchor base. An engaging portion is formed at one side of the anchor base, said side facing the stationary base, and is hooked with an engaged portion provided on the side of the stationary base, whereby the anchor base is fixed on the stationary base.

Abstract: A passive seat belt system is constructed of a guide rail, a slider movable along the guide rail, a webbing, a drive member for driving the slider, a bushing for connecting the drive member and slider in a state maintained in contact to each other with a gap left between the drive member and guide rail at the position of the bushing and on a side opposite to the slider, and contact members provided on the drive member with the bushing interposed therebetween. The contact members are in contact with the guide rail on a side opposite to the slider. Instead of the bushing and contact members, a cam may be provided between the drive member and slider for causing the slider to move in a direction away from the drive member when the drive member moves in a longitudinal direction.